Ford Focus RS to outpace Mustang, XR8

Ford has announced performance times for the RS – confirming it will launch from nought to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 266km/h.

The dash to triple figures is faster than those achieved by both the V8 Mustang and supercharged V8 Falcon XR8, which notch 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and about 5.0 seconds respectively. The real test for the all-wheel drive hot hatch will be its capacity to keep up with a V8 during in-car acceleration testing.

The RS is also marginally quicker than the similarly minded Audi S3, Subaru WRX STi and Volkswagen Golf R, and narrowly behind the much more expensive Mercedes-AMG A45 (4.2 seconds) and Audi RS3 (4.3 seconds).

Speaking of price, Ford Australia is yet to confirm a starting figure for the RS, which is due in Aussie showrooms next year. The overnight release of pricing for several other international markets suggests the RS will start from about $50,000 (plus on-road costs) locally. Ford Australia has confirmed it will release prices in the coming weeks.

Developed by a dedicated Ford Performance team including input from rally star Ken Block, the RS will feature all-wheel drive power with torque vectoring technology when it lands in showrooms. Power will come courtesy of a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine producing 257kW and 440Nm (up to 470Nm with a transient overboost function), shared with the EcoBoost Mustang but tailored specifically for the RS.

The engine will offer more power than the Mustang thanks to a new twin-scroll turbocharger, a larger intercooler, a less restrictive intake design and bi-modal exhaust system. The work has helped raise the 2.3-litre engine's maximum rev limit to 6800rpm.

As before, the Focus RS will continued to be offered solely with a six-speed manual transmission.

Under the new all-wheel drive layout, a maximum of 70 per cent of drive torque can be diverted to the rear wheels at any one time. Up to 100 per cent of available torque at the rear axle can be sent to each rear wheel. The unit all-wheel drive unit is based on twin electronically-controlled clutch packs on each side of the rear drive unit.

"During cornering, the rear drive unit pre-emptively diverts torque to the outer rear wheel immediately based on inputs such as steering wheel angle, lateral acceleration, yaw and speed. This torque transfer has the effect of "driving" the car into the bend, achieving improved turn-in and stability, and virtually eliminating understeer," Ford explains.

"The AWD system has been tuned to deliver exceptional grip – with lateral acceleration exceeding 1 g – and class-leading cornering speed and acceleration out of a bend. With neutral and adjustable limit handling, and the ability to achieve controlled oversteer drifts at the track; the Focus RS delivers the ultimate fun-to-drive experience."

Under the skin, the RS features sports suspension with stiffened spring rates, bushes and anti roll bars, two-mode switchable dampers and an electric power-assisted steering system. The front suspension features a knuckle design and shorter link arms that purportedly deliver a more responsive steering feel. It will wear unique 19-inch Michelin tyres.

The third-generation Focus RS brings slightly tweaked exterior styling delivering "enhanced aerodynamics and cooling". Chief among the changes are a more aerodynamic front splitter, rear spoiler and new underbody features.

Inside, the RS will feature heavily-bolstered Recaro sports seats dressed in partial leather. An eight-inch colour screen resides at the top of a minimalist new instrument cluster housing functions including the Sony sound system with 10 speakers.